Sociology, Master of Arts

Overview

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists understand social inequality, patterns of behavior, forces for social change and resistance, and how social systems work. The field also offers a range of research techniques that can be applied to virtually any aspect of social life, including: street crime and policing practices; disparities in income and family resources; poverty and unemployment; problems of peace and war; the forces that lead to globalization and its consequences for groups and communities around the world. Because sociologists address the most challenging issues of our time, it is an exciting discipline with expanding opportunities for a wide range of career paths.

The Master of Arts in Sociology at St. John’s University fosters the development of critical thinking, analytical, and research skills alongside an understanding of sociological theory and urban and global perspectives. Our course offerings reflect the breadth of areas of specialization within the discipline. Our program emphasizes the study of racial, class, and gender inequality; community and urban development; and globalization and social movements, allowing you to choose a general course of study that fits your interests and career goals. Moreover, our program offers you the possibility of choosing a concentration in either The Global City and Social Justice or Confronting Inequalities, or to develop a master’s thesis project, to help you get the most out of your graduate study.

The program also offers a one-year hybrid applied option that will allow you to gain hands-on experience with learned concepts and skills, while increasing affordability.

Department Faculty

Department Information

Admission

Requirements for AdmissionEligible students possess a baccalaureate degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 and 18 undergraduate credits in sociology or a related social science. International students must take the University's English placement examination.

Graduate AssistantshipsCompetitive assistantships are available for qualified full-time students.

Courses

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Based on the expertise of our faculty and the professional needs of our students, our program offers the following options to complete the M.A. The non-thesis options may be completed as a one-year hybrid applied program.

Career Outcomes

Graduates from this program have found jobs that allow them to apply their methodological, statistical, and theoretical sociological knowledge. Most graduates work on research-related and service positions in government, public offices, nonprofit organizations, and private institutions, as well as education. In most cases, graduates are devoted to working for underprivileged populations as well as collaborating in the design of public policies and social programs addressing social inequalities. Some M.A. graduates continue with their education by pursuing a doctoral degree in sociology. If you are already working in a related career field, the M.A. degree can help you advance your position or gain a salary increase. Overall, graduates with an M.A. in Sociology report high job satisfaction because of their ability to apply learned skills to their positions and interest in their jobs.

All professionals gain an edge from being able to research and analyze information, and graduates holding an M.A. in Sociology are well-equipped to answer the demand for these skills. Our program at St. John’s is specifically geared toward preparing you for a career in the following diverse fields:

Public Relations

Social Service Agencies

Family Service Agencies

Federal Investigation

Higher Education Administration

Human Resources

Advertising

Parole/Probation

U.S. Customs

Research Analysis

Program Evaluation

The program will also prepare you for further study in law, sociology, and social work. Many of our graduates have gone on to pursue doctoral and law degrees at institutions such as Columbia University, Rutgers University, the University of Illinois, the University of California-Berkeley, and the University of Connecticut, among others.